by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK - Geno Smith said he's not anxious at all about when he'll be selected in the NFL draft, and he shot from the heart when he made Twitter comments Tuesday aimed at critics who don't believe he has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback.

"It's not even to get back at anyone because I can't do that through Twitter,'' Smith told USA TODAY Sports Wednesday. "The only way I can do that is to prove them wrong on the field. Basically, what I said is, 'I'd like to thank you for continuing to motivate me and to keep me motivated.'

"I didn't read the things. People called me to say, 'Did you hear this, did you hear that.' I said, 'No. I don't care about that type of stuff.' As long as it's out there, I have to stay on my 'A' game.''

He was asked why the Tweet now on the cusp of realizing his dream?

"You know what, I think I just went with it,'' Smith said. "It wasn't anything in particular. I just went with it.''

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Wednesday that if the 6-3, 220-pound passer with 42 touchdowns and 6 interceptions last season doesn't go to the Cleveland Browns at No. 6, he could fall into the bottom third of the first round.

The New York Jets, now with the No. 13 overall pick (to bolster a preexisting No. 9 pick) received as part of the package for Sunday's trade of cornerback Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay, could be among the teams that grab Smith.

"There's a level of interest there, I had a great visit, I really sat down with those guys and enjoyed them,'' Smith said. "It was a good dinner, casual conversation and we kind of felt each other out.

"My expectations obviously are to go early, but if I don't, it's not going to faze me. The only thing I can do is wait until a team calls my name. And whichever team I'm on, go in there and try and win the starting job. And once I'm the starter continue to win games and build on my goals.''

Smith is one of only two quarterbacks - E.J. Manuel is the other - who chose to attend the draft.

The harshest criticism came from a scathing Pro Football Weekly scouting report that ripped the former West Virginia quarterback's leadership ability, work habits, football acumen and called him "A cross between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks.''

Smith told USA TODAY Sports after that report was published, "It's untrue in all things.'' He wrote on Twitter Tuesday:

"Just want to thank all the so called "experts'' who say I can't be an NFL QB. Thursday will be a special day but the work has only begun.''

Was part of the reason for venting on Twitter because he's close to getting answers?

"Not even that,'' he said. "I just wanted to put that out there and let them know all the doubt and that stuff, yeah, I've heard it. Some of it is true, some of it untrue. But we'll see once I get drafted and go into the NFL.''

Smith said he is aware that one of the knocks against him was a poor, 19-for-28, 201-yard passing performance in West Virginia's 38-14 Pinstripe Bowl loss to Syracuse in cold, blustery weather.

"That's one game,'' he said. "I've started how many games in my career in three years? I played in terrible conditions. I played in West Virginia. That's just one game, and I don't think I played particularly bad. We just didn't win that game.

"Overall, I just have to get better and that's something I've always done. So I don't have a problem with it.''